Aviation | Govt approaches Tata for heading AI board

New Delhi: The Union government is understood to have approached industrialist Ratan Tata to head an advisory board of the ailing Air India. ‘The Times of India’ first reported this on Wednesday.

People familiar with the development said civil aviation minister Praful Patel and Tata had met recently, and the minister is believed to have sought his help in turning around the cash- strapped national carrier.

No official confirmation could be obtained on whether Tata has agreed to the government’s proposal.

Air India is working on a plan for the return of leased aircraft at the earliest, officials said. A team has been set up to work on the leased contracts aimed at redelivery of leased planes within a week. They also also said Air India will close down its offices at overseas locations where the carrier does not operate.